Coding an app to activate SLAZER by pressing buttons and shaking Pebble Time turned out to be a piece of cake for Jeff. And the only significant hardware hurdle was making a reliable connection with the "hacked" hackathon smartstrap connector. Speaking for Jeff, too, here: we had a great time in Boulder!

This is how we spent our weekend:

Galvanize Boulder!

The coin cell simulates the watch's battery in this preliminary hardware breadboard.

The "SLAZER" button UI changes from white to red when the laser is activated.

This is shiny red positive feedback.

We used the shop Dremel tool to hog out the SLAZER case... to make room for Pebble's hackathon connector.

Epoxy from the hardware store fixes everything in place.

Epoxy hack: There's a reason that it's called a hackathon.

SLAZER: two functional prototypes

Team Laser's SLAZERs

SLAZER UI: laser off

SLAZER UI: laser on

Don't fuck with Jeff.

In this photo: Jeff (L) has finished enough of the app to fire the laser. Jason (R) is holding something.

Conclusions:

1) With the right background, it's easy to learn how to code a simple app for a Pebble Time smartstrap.

2) Using pogo pins (in place of magnets) for all four of the contacts seems important for reliable connections for smartstraps.

3) Dogs love lasers!

Team Laser is:

Jason Hilbourne: I'm the guy behind SLAZER on Kickstarter and three generations of watch straps for Pebble (Wide Body, Shank, and HAMMER). I run a consumer electronics product development company in Portland, Oregon called Utensile. And I also manage the CE accessories company Richard Tracy Brand. This was my first hackathon.

Jeff Turley: I code. I drive an electric car. I code again.

Hackathon Strangers: Because it turns out that this kind of event involves spontaneous collaboration and being awesome. Thank you, everybody!